"This is probably the biggest reason why NHL players shouldn't be in the Olympics, it should just be amateurs. And it could have happened to anyone; it just happened to be us that lost our best player. A lot of people pay to see John play. It wouldn't matter if we were 10 points clear of a playoff spot or 10 points out. We lost our best player and he wasn't even [injured while] playing for us."

Tavares suffered a torn MCL and torn meniscus in his left knee after getting hit in Canada's win over Latvia on Wednesday. He should be ready for the start of the 2014-15 season.

"I don't begrudge the players. I wore my country's jersey and I know how much every guy wants to represent his country," Snow said. "But NHL players just shouldn't be over there. There's too much at stake."